router quirky-ness

[Force Flow]

I have a Linksys BEFSR41 router (5 ports that act as a switch). The problem is that it keeps konking out on me sporadically throughout the day. I have power cycle it several times a day.

Sometimes if I have a second computer connected, it will not work at all. I have tried different ports. As soon as I unplug the 2nd workstation, the router starts working again.

Durning the times the router goes down, I cannot access it from my main computer by trying to connect to it via IE with http://xxx.xxx.x.x

I'm not sure what firmware version is on it, but it has not been upgraded.

[homer15]

does it ever work with both comptuers on?

it sounds like a bad router to me.

[Force Flow]

Sometimes it cuts out as soon as I plug the second computer in, other times I can use it for an hour or so before it stops working.

[gunrunnerjohn]

First stop, upgrade the firmware and see if that helps. I had an SMC that would hang up every couple of weeks, new firmware made it rock-solid.

[Force Flow]

I'm assuming the upgrade will wipe all my settings, correct?

[gunrunnerjohn]

Yep, it will probably nuke the settings. I'd make sure you know what they are, you can just browse to the pages and save them to disk, that way you have a record of what you had setup.

[glc]

Not necessarily - as I remember Linksys firmware upgrades don't wipe the settings, it just requires a router restart.

[gunrunnerjohn]

I suspect it depends on the specific things changed by the upgrade. I've had it work both ways, depending on the router and the upgrade. However, assuming that it will kill off the settings won't leave you in the lurch if you don't remember the settings.

[mairving]

I had a Linksys router with the same problems. Nothing, not even a firmware upgrade was able to fix it. Getting a new router fixed it.

[Force Flow]

Okay, I tried upgrading the firmware, but it didn't work. I tried using the tool that came with the firmware upgrade download and that didn't work. then I tried going into the "help" tab in the router and tried to upload the bin file that way, but it still didn't do anything.

Suggestions?

[gunrunnerjohn]

If you can't get the firmware upgrade to load, contact LinkSys tech support, that's what they're there for.

[Force Flow]

Any suggestions on what I should get to replace this router?

[homer15]

that's a pretty solid little router, maybe just replace it with the same model. if you want to spend 15 extra bucks and get vpn capabilities, you could go to the BEFSX41 instead. here's a link:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...=BROWSE&depa=1

[-FalconFan-]

I happen to have the BEFSX41 - right now I have two WinXP machines hooked up to it... one in the DMZ port (#4?) and one in the next port (#3?) (or DMZ #1 and regular #2, can't remember now cuz I'm at work) both using Linksys NIC's.

Had the exact same problem!! The pc in the DMZ port (I know, I know, but DMZ is never enabled on my box!!) worked fine but as soon as I plugged in a second pc to ANY port, the whole setup would pork out on me. Like you said, sometimes both would work for a bit, sometimes they wouldn't. Ended up powercycling the router 3-4 times a week (for about a week until I got fed up!!)

I had quite a bit of detailed port forwarding and port triggering going on but when I upgraded the Firmware, NO settings were lost and it DID resolve the issue.
In speaking with Linksys support (prior to the update) they mentioned numerous problems in general with the BEFSR41 and had NO plans to release new firmware or attempt to resolve the issue.


Just food for thought.....
(Oh, and I'd spend the $15 go with the SX41 instead of the SR41)

[Force Flow]

I do not have DMZ enabled.

Ok, what are VPN capibilities?

[homer15]

vpn capabilities are a set of rules that enable you to create a virtual private network between you and other firewalls... it's like a big LAN over the internet... it's mostly used for businesses and stuff.

[Force Flow]

Thanks guys